BajaNomad - A California Central Coast Tradition is Moving

A California Central Coast Tradition is Moving

DianaT - 1-11-2011 at 09:35 PM

Yes, after 52 years in Guadalupe, the Far Western Tavern is moving at the end of this year.

Since we can't head south right now, today we decided to head north from San Diego and eat dinner at a place we have visited for YEARS every time we have been in the area----as I am sure many of you have done!

So in our usual not very direct route, eight hours later we arrived at the famous Far Western Tavern---the place one never leaves hungry. A bit pricey these days, and not the best steaks around, but just a real tradition.

They will be moving to Old Town Orcutt, but will take as much with them as possible including the old bar, the cow heads, the cowboy art and cow hide curtains.

But we fear, it will just become another restaurant and not the tradition of old.

BajaGringo - 1-11-2011 at 09:37 PM

I know that place Diane although it has been years since I last stopped by. There was another great place for breakfast as I recall, heading east out to 101 too...

Jockos's???

edited to add name

[Edited on 1-12-2011 by BajaGringo]

DianaT - 1-11-2011 at 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
I know that place Diane although it has been years since I last stopped by. There was another great place for breakfast as I recall, heading east out to 101 too...

Jockos's???

edited to add name

[Edited on 1-12-2011 by BajaGringo]

Not sure about that one? We will need to check it out

Oh, here are the cowhide curtains that will be moved to the new location---they are something else!

And these guys will continue to watch over the diners.

[Edited on 1-12-2011 by DianaT]

goldhuntress - 1-11-2011 at 10:33 PM

Wow, your in my stomping grounds. I had heard they were moving, sad, it's got a lot of character. I hope they keep it as close as they can to what it is now, so many times when a restaurant moves it's just not the same. Jocko's is my favorite. Killer drinks, I actually have to ask for more juice in my vodka cranberry, they are clear. Their steaks are to die for and huge for the price. The other good steak house is the Hitching Post, a little too long a drive for me but excellent food, yummy grilled artichokes.

Jack Swords - 1-12-2011 at 12:58 PM

Far Western has had a serious drop in business. We ate there just before driving down to Baja. It's not the same as it was years ago. Clarence Minetti is gettin along in years. The move to Orcutt should help business. Jocko's in Nipomo is the same as it has been for the past 35 years. It is always crowded and you will usually wait an hour to be seated even with reservations, but the steaks barbecued over red oak are huge and delicious, with salsa, pinko beans, bread, baked potato slathered with butter/sour cream. Most unhealthy. It is just off the 101 east into Nipomo. No, I am not a stockholder, just a fan. Now I'm hungry!

mtgoat666 - 1-12-2011 at 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Swords
Far Western has had a serious drop in business. We ate there just before driving down to Baja. It's not the same as it was years ago. Clarence Minetti is gettin along in years. The move to Orcutt should help business. Jocko's in Nipomo is the same as it has been for the past 35 years. It is always crowded and you will usually wait an hour to be seated even with reservations, but the steaks barbecued over red oak are huge and delicious, with salsa, pinko beans, bread, baked potato slathered with butter/sour cream. Most unhealthy. It is just off the 101 east into Nipomo. No, I am not a stockholder, just a fan. Now I'm hungry!

Perhaps they should change their menu with the times. Who still goes to steak restaurants? Steak dinners are such a simple meal to prepare at home. If i got out i usually choose complex meals i can't or won't fix at home, and i usually eat healthy. Perhaps they should stay at same location, and change menu to Vietnames Pho! Or perhaps French country, or Jamaican!

Oso - 1-12-2011 at 01:36 PM

Pity.

I used to work in Guadalupe and would take visiting VIPs to the Far Western for lunch (and drinks). I just signed the tab and my employer would pay it. As I recall, Minetti grew his own beef on his ranch. Maybe that changed.

Jocko's steak sandwiches, hmmm...

Bajahowodd - 1-12-2011 at 02:39 PM

Long drive for dinner, eh? As I'm not a big fan of beef, if I was that far North, I'd just keep going and head out to Morro Bay for some seafood.

DianaT - 1-12-2011 at 07:09 PM

Quote:

Yea, the young lady told us that business was down. And that building needs to be retrofitted which would be very costly and shut them down for months. We sincerely wish them well in their new location. Even though they are not as good as they were years past, we are so very glad we visited them one last time before the move --- lots of memories for us together and for us before there was an us.

Goat----yea, not a real healthful diet, but sometimes only a good old fashion steak house will do---especially one with so many memories.

So, now we need to find Jackos for when we are in the area and just need that beef fix---- :yes:

Morro bay followed---

to be continued

Far Western

tripledigitken - 1-12-2011 at 08:05 PM

Diane,

We have dined there as well. Only once and just on a hunch that it would be good. It's been 10 years or so, I remember the atmosphere as much as the food. Like stepping back in time, families dressed up, maybe it was Sunday I don't remember. Mostly locals as I recall, lots of meet and greet between customers as they were being led to their tables.

A similar feel to some of the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield. Not the food but the small town feeling that is rare for me, coming from a larger town.

Will look them up in their new location for sure.

Ken

BajaGringo - 1-12-2011 at 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
A similar feel to some of the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield. Not the food but the small town feeling that is rare for me, coming from a larger town.

Oh, we need to meet for dinner sometime north of the Grapevine.

Woolgrowers and Noriegas are my personal favorites...

tripledigitken - 1-12-2011 at 10:12 PM

Ron,

Anytime, it has been too long since my last trip up there. Noriega's it was too! After dinner an excellent concert by Raul Malo at the Crystal Palace, high living huh?

Ken

Paula - 1-13-2011 at 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Swords
... the steaks barbecued over red oak are huge and delicious, with salsa, pinko beans, bread, baked potato slathered with butter/sour cream....

Pinko beans... now those are my kind of beans!
(sorry for the hijack, couldn't resist) :spingrin:

BajaGringo - 1-13-2011 at 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
Ron,

Anytime, it has been too long since my last trip up there. Noriega's it was too! After dinner an excellent concert by Raul Malo at the Crystal Palace, high living huh?

Ken

That does sound like a fun evening. So many great times at some out of the way places most never get to see if they don't bother getting off the couch.

Let's make a promise to definitely make it happen...

DianaT - 1-13-2011 at 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Swords
... the steaks barbecued over red oak are huge and delicious, with salsa, pinko beans, bread, baked potato slathered with butter/sour cream....

Pinko beans... now those are my kind of beans!
(sorry for the hijack, couldn't resist) :spingrin:

----- Yes, they much be VERY good. :lol:

tripledigitken - 1-13-2011 at 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

Originally posted by Paula

Quote:

Originally posted by Jack Swords
... the steaks barbecued over red oak are huge and delicious, with salsa, pinko beans, bread, baked potato slathered with butter/sour cream....

Pinko beans... now those are my kind of beans!
(sorry for the hijack, couldn't resist) :spingrin:

----- Yes, they much be VERY good. :lol:

I'll even "cross the aisle" for some of those tasty Pinko's!

:cool:

TMW - 1-14-2011 at 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken
A similar feel to some of the Basque restaurants in Bakersfield. Not the food but the small town feeling that is rare for me, coming from a larger town.

Oh, we need to meet for dinner sometime north of the Grapevine.

Woolgrowers and Noriegas are my personal favorites...

Another really good Basque resturant is Benji's on Rosadale hwy west of 99 within a mile on the south side. If you're up here on Wednesdays at lunch time go to Luigis on east 19th street down the street from Woolgrowers. Excellent stuffed chicken breast.

tripledigitken - 1-14-2011 at 11:37 AM

TW,

Will put Luigi's on my list, have been to Benji's and it is good.

Ken

Mexitron - 1-14-2011 at 12:20 PM

Huh, one of the few places I missed eating while I was living in SLO for 7 years...we always went to Guadalupe for the Mexican food. For steaks we'd go to McClintoks in Shell or the Saloon in town, way back( 70s) when before they kinda sold out to the tourist trade.

Goat---perhaps you should come see the steakhouses in Fort Worth---LOTS of 'em.

boe4fun - 1-15-2011 at 09:47 AM

Years ago we stopped in Guadalupe one night and had dinner at the Far Western. Our daughter Courtney, 3 years old at the time, proceeded to tell the waitress about her younger brother Lucas and the difference in anatomy between girls and boys. The waitress was cracking up, my wife was mortified.

Ken Bondy - 1-15-2011 at 10:42 AM

When my kids were going to school at Cal Poly we got to like A.J.Spur's in Templeton. You could get a hernia working on their steaks. Haven't been there in years, don't even know if it's still there. I notice there's another one now at the south end of Pismo, west of the 101. Also misspent a lot of time at McClintocks in Shell.

boe4fun - 1-16-2011 at 01:00 PM

Yes Ken, AJ's is still there. They used to have "The Gambler" on their menu - 36 ounce steak - if you finished it you would only pay half price. I FINISHED IT! Of course this was after the soup with beans and salsa, tortillas, etc. (I'm such a PIG!) They no longer offer it at half price, if you finish it now all you get is a "T" shirt.

DianaT - 1-16-2011 at 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by boe4fun
Yes Ken, AJ's is still there. They used to have "The Gambler" on their menu - 36 ounce steak - if you finished it you would only pay half price. I FINISHED IT! Of course this was after the soup with beans and salsa, tortillas, etc. (I'm such a PIG!) They no longer offer it at half price, if you finish it now all you get is a "T" shirt.

Talk about needing the extra lipitor! :lol:

Old fashion steak houses are just fun every so often. Love your Far Western story. :yes:

mcfez - 1-22-2011 at 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
Yes, after 52 years in Guadalupe, the Far Western Tavern is moving at the end of this year.

Since we can't head south right now, today we decided to head north from San Diego and eat dinner at a place we have visited for YEARS every time we have been in the area----as I am sure many of you have done!

So in our usual not very direct route, eight hours later we arrived at the famous Far Western Tavern---the place one never leaves hungry. A bit pricey these days, and not the best steaks around, but just a real tradition.

They will be moving to Old Town Orcutt, but will take as much with them as possible including the old bar, the cow heads, the cowboy art and cow hide curtains.

But we fear, it will just become another restaurant and not the tradition of old.

Thats a great town! I spent a lot of time there too. My brother supplies all the fancy restaurants and some grocery stores with their organic veggies. Stop by the week end Farmer's Market and ask for Richard of the www.reddogranch.com tell him or Vicky that brother Deno sent you

[Edited on 1-22-2011 by mcfez]

cbuzzetti - 1-22-2011 at 09:31 AM

One of the best old school steak houses in SLO county is called the Loading Chute in Creston.
It is way out of the way but amazing. Mostly locals, some even ride their horse.
Fresh baked bread too!!
AJ's has become a little to busy for me. But still good.
I keep hearing about Jockos but just haven't made it there yet.

Bajahowodd - 1-22-2011 at 02:07 PM

Maybe far from the Central Coast, but I have to figure that most of you will be driving up 101 from down South. Just thought I'd make a pitch for a dynamite Mexican restaurant that's along the way. It's located 1/2 mile South of the 101 at Las Virgenes in Calabasas. The proprietor is a native of central Yucatan; Valladolid, a stone's throw from Chitzen Itza. So, there are a number of Yucatean dishes on the menu. But, you cannot imagine the wide variety of seafood. This is a mom and pop place. However, pop not only honed his skills in a number of upscale places in LA and Boston, but also briefly attended Harvard, where he decided he'd rather be in the restaurant biz. Just check out this menu and tell me if you have ever seen something with this much variety.

http://oscarslapaz.com/

Oso - 1-22-2011 at 03:21 PM

If you couldn't wait for Jocko's on the way up, there was always Andersen's Pea Soup in Buelton. The soup itself was pretty good but the owners must not have been Danes because the bar didn't keep the Akavit in the freezer. Better yet was to get off the highway and go into Solvang where there were several good Danish restaurants. Unfortunately, over time the town got so hokey, cutesy Disneyland that it was a turn-off. The last time I was there, Solvang Liquors was run by Koreans and the price of a bottle of Akavit was strictly for tourists.

goldhuntress - 7-1-2011 at 11:30 AM

This is the latest news on the future of the Far Western.
http://calcoastnews.com/2011/07/chef-rick-heads-to-the-far-w...

oxxo - 7-2-2011 at 11:02 AM

As a former 35 year resident of SLOtown, almost all the "classic" restaurants on the Central Coast have been mentioned in this thread - Far Western, Jocko's, McClintocks, AJ Spurs - save one.........This Ol' House in San Luis Obispo. I'll be in SLOtown all next week on business. It'll be just like old times.

Ken Bondy - 7-2-2011 at 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo
As a former 35 year resident of SLOtown, almost all the "classic" restaurants on the Central Coast have been mentioned in this thread - Far Western, Jocko's, McClintocks, AJ Spurs - save one.........This Ol' House in San Luis Obispo. I'll be in SLOtown all next week on business. It'll be just like old times.

If you get over to Morro Bay, try Windows on the Water, it is outstanding. Also the Harbor Hut has exceptionally good cioppino in a very nice waterfront setting.

[Edited on 7-2-2011 by Ken Bondy]

goldhuntress - 7-2-2011 at 11:46 AM

Quote:

I hate to break the news but This Old House has been gone for at least 10 years or so. My vote for best beef is Jockos and Hitching Post.